September 27-28, 2001

ITEM 112-2007-R0901 Authorization
to Create a New Option within the Biological Sciences Degree: Ecology and
Evolution Option; Montana State University-Bozeman

THAT: The Board of
Regents of Higher Education authorizes Montana State University-Bozeman to
create a new option within the Biological Sciences Degree: Ecology and
Evolution Option.

EXPLANATION: This option provides
training for such fields as conservation biology, population ecology, animal
behavior, endangered species management, evolutionary biology, conservation
genetics, habitat analysis, and ecosystem management. The curriculum in ecology and evolutionary sciences provides a
strong background for students who are interested in (1) a career in research
or teaching in ecology and evolution, (2) a position in natural resource
management with government, industry, or conservation groups, or (3) an
undergraduate background for fields such as environmental law, ecological
economics, or public health. The
curriculum provides the necessary courses to make a competitive application to
graduate school or to obtain a technical position.

The newly formed Ecology Department offers a Bachelor
of Science Degree in Biological Sciences that is currently pursued by 348
undergraduates. The degree has the
following options: Biology (proposed to be changed in name but not in terms of
its broad-base of biology), Biology Teaching, and Fish and Wildlife Management. Although the current offerings cover a broad
set of topics from a very broad biology education (Biology Option) to more
specific and more applied options (Biology Teaching Option and Fish and
Wildlife Management Option), there is an excellent opportunity to provide an
option with intermediate breadth in ecology and evolution. The Ecology Department has faculty members
with a breadth of expertise in both plant and animal ecology and evolution, and
thus is well positioned to teach and advise such an option. Further, the field of ecology and evolution
has grown dramatically and employment opportunities are growing for graduates
in this area. This degree option will
be an excellent counterpart to the existing degree options. It will be narrower in scope and thus,
deeper in its coverage than the Biology Option. In contrast, it will be broader in scope and thus, less-detailed
than the Fish and Wildlife Management Option.
We expect the Ecology and Evolution Option at Montana State University
to be well utilized. We anticipate that
this option will attract students currently enrolled in other programs at MSU
and also new students who want to pursue a career in ecology and evolution. The
option will be developed using existing courses and faculty resources.